System and method for directory services and e-commerce across multi-provider networks

ABSTRACT

The present invention solves the problem of cross-provider access proprietary information between unaffiliated and competing network providers, but not allow that information to be disclosed to competing providers. The invention provides a system that allows increased utilization and revenue by allowing information from one provider to be accessed and used to complete a transaction or make a connection with subscribers in another carrier or network system without that information being disclosed. The description of the invention for use in wireless or cellular directory assistance is for convenience and illustration of the features of the invention. It is to be understood that the invention has many embodiments and can be applied to any system where confidential and secure access to an entity or services are needed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of copending U.S. ApplicationSerial Nos. 60/218,469 filed Jul. 14, 2000; 09/668,591 filed Sep. 22,2000; 60/237,861 filed Oct. 4, 2000; 60/239,570 filed Oct. 10, 2000;60/249,597 filed Nov. 17, 2000; and 60/270,304 filed Feb. 20, 2001,which are all incorporated here in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to an information system,and more particularly to a system and method for directory servicesacross multi-provider networks, and providing said service by use ofsubscriber managed context association.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Individuals and institutions are in constant need of informationand access to each other and to services worldwide. This critical needfor information and access is seemingly limitless and ever present as aconsequence of technological advances in communication and connectivity.Nowhere in our society is this need more strongly felt and observed thanby Internet and wireless or cellular telephony users everywhere,however, no system is available to serve their needs.

[0004] Due to the demand for information, directory assistance is one ofthe fastest growing segments of the traditional wireline telephoneindustry. Revenues have exceeded three billion dollars with an estimatedcall volume in excess of 8 billion inquiries per year. However, thetraditional wireline industry is rapidly coming under competitivepressure for use and convenience from the wireless industry.

[0005] The cost of service for wireless communication is dramaticallydecreasing while the features provided are increasing. In addition,wireless communication can offer benefits that wireline cannot. Theseinclude 24-hour access in any location, insignificant or non-existentlong distance and roaming fees, and in some cases number portability.

[0006] The problem with wireless communication that is addressed by thepresent invention is that there is currently no method for wirelesssubscribers to engage in commerce by use of their wireless phone numberor to access a subscriber, or the number of another wireless subscriberin the same or desperate provider network. This is a significantproblem, since wireless service providers have seen the number ofdomestic subscribers increase to the current 72 million, all without alisting in a directory assistance. Wireless subscribers includetraveling professionals, small independent business people, parents,children and “nomadic” students, each with specific needs forconnectivity and information, but all of which are entirely inaccessibleto the general population unless an information source is developed.

[0007] Another problem with traditional telephone directories is theconstant demand to maintain and update the called party data. Presently,directory information is limited to traditional wireline services andfurther limited to include only names and telephone numbers. Due to thedramatic escalation in wireless pre-paid and post paid subscribers andthe ever-increasing mobility and demand for services of thesesubscribers there is an enormous demand for accurate and up-to-datesubscriber data, which is addressed by the present invention.

[0008] Another problem with traditional telephone directories isobtaining the desired number of the person or company you wanted withonly limited information of their identity. In 1997, AT&T introduced00Info. This service was exclusive to AT&T customers only as analternative to existing directory services such as “411” and “555-1212”and provided access to local and national numbers as well as address andzip code information. As an additional service, AT&T customers couldsearch for a listing by just the spelling of the listing. In 1998,Sprint began to offer their customers national listings in over threethousand communities, and MCI introduced 10-10-9000 for both MCI andnon-MCI customers.

[0009] Although these systems provide telephone number and some limitedaddress information, none can provide directory access to wirelesstelephone subscribers, provide subscriber selected information back to acaller, or direct communication to the subscriber to selected locationssuch as a home telephone, cell phone, email address, facsimile device,subscriber managed contact information, or e-commerce transactionstreams, all of which and more are addressed and solved by the presentinvention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention solves the problem of cross-provider accessproprietary information between unaffiliated and competing networkproviders, but not allow that information to be disclosed to competingproviders. The invention provides a system that allows increasedutilization and revenue by allowing information from one provider to beaccessed and used to complete a transaction or make a connection withsubscribers in another carrier or network system without thatinformation being disclosed. The description of the invention for use inwireless or cellular directory assistance is for convenience andillustration of the features of the invention. It is to be understoodthat the invention has many embodiments and can be applied to any systemwhere confidential and secure access to an entity or services areneeded.

[0011] In one embodiment, the invention solves the problem of cellulardirectory assistance and the need for subscriber directedtelecommunication by providing wireline and wireless listing inquiriesby means of a context association cellular directory assistance systemfor a nominal fee.

[0012] In one aspect of the invention, a cellular phone subscriber'sweb-managed context association such as, but not limited to, an alphanumeric string, is used as a unique address to locate and provideinformation, access, or both to a calling subscriber. To place a call orprovide access to the subscriber, the invention associates a subscriberwith a cellular phone number by context association. The subscribermanages context associations on the web, by telephone, shortmessage(SMS), or any other means to access the listing creationmechanism, with conventions that are established 333by each subscriber.The invention provides for selectable levels of security allowing thesubscriber to determine access and identification at all times. Inaddition, companies or institutions, and subscribers can groupsubscribers into communities for internal or external access asrequired.

[0013] Each community can provide its own context associations for itssubscribers, allowing them to be easily identified by pre-existing orspecifically created conventions. Other members of that community cantherefore easily find a subscriber, which make up the subscriber'scalling universe or circle. Accordingly, the present invention goesbeyond one-to-one relationships between a phone number and a user byproviding context associations and relationships between a subscriberand its community.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown inthe drawings a form, which is presently, preferred; it being understood,however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

[0015]FIG. 1 illustrates a cellular directory assistance systemaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 illustrates a high-level data model according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 3 illustrates a model for context data to be stored andanalyzed according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 4 illustrates another model for context data to be stored andanalyzed according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 5 illustrates a functional diagram of the directoryassistance system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 6 illustrates major system components of the directoryassistance system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 7 illustrates an interface device with a directory assistancesystem according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0022]FIG. 8 illustrates a find and connect service associated with thedirectory assistance system according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Referring now to the drawings, wherein there is shown in FIGS. 1through 4 an illustration of the present invention embodied in awireless or cellular directory assistance system according to one aspectof the present invention. The terms wireless and cellular are usedinterchangeably.

[0024] Wireless Directory Assistance

[0025] In FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a wireless directory assistancesystem 10 and a high-level data model illustrating the contextrelationship between a subscriber and its community according to thepresent invention. A context includes, but is not limited to, a domainof predetermined conventions that are associated with predeterminedindividuals (subscribers) or predetermined services and used to locatesubscribers by means of users (callers) having discrete knowledge aboutcharacteristics or conventions relevant to the individual or servicedesired. A subscriber can be an individual, company, bank account orservice that is targeted or desired by the caller or user of the methodand system.

[0026] In FIG. 4 a high level architecture 10 of the invention is shownapplied to a directory assistance system. The left side 12 of thediagram represents the relationship with a partner provider, whethertelecom, internet or portal. A component called the ‘context connector’14 is installed at each partner provider. This component provides theinterface to a contextual directory 16. The provider plugin 18 is acustom application that is developed with the assistance of the partnerprovider to interact with the partner provider's subscriber (customer)database. The context connector 14 can be configured to hide the actualcontact number, and creates a private and secure link through use of akey between the directory assistance system and the subscriber(customer) database. This key is made available to the contextualdirectory 16.

[0027] The context connector 14 is also used to receive a resolveddirectory lookup 20 into the partner provider's network where the key isresolved and the call or service is placed.

[0028] The top part of the diagram illustrates the various interfaces 22available to the users (callers) of the service. There are multipleinterfaces (Voice Call, Web, WAP) available to the service. Both thetelephone network and the internet can be used. The center of thediagram illustrates the components 24 making up the directory assistanceapplication. These include an application that manages the interfaces tothe partner providers and provides the directory lookup. The applicationallows the data in the directory to be managed by authorized users,context administrators, and subscribers. There are also variousreporting and billing applications. An important feature of thedirectory application is that the contextual directory 16 can store theinformation for subscribers and their contexts. The invention includes amethod for providing information to a subscriber having the steps ofassociating a subscriber with at least one predetermined context.Association with at least one context then accomplishes location of thesubscriber. Access to the subscriber is provided when at least onecontext is located.

[0029] In one aspect of the invention, at least one context includes atleast one subscriber fact such as, but not limited to, a phone number,address, nickname, identification number or job title. The context alsoincludes a context key that broadly defines a subscriber or group ofsubscribers such as a company or department name or geographicallocation that is used to locate at least one subscriber. The context keyincludes a domain of predetermined conventions such as a type ofbusiness or service or any desirable characteristic that may be desiredto associate a subscriber, or individuals, or services, or somecombination thereof.

[0030] Secure Identity Key

[0031] Referring to FIG. 6, security is another feature of the inventionthat is provided by a secure identity key 130. The key 130 is used bythe system 10 for associating contextual associations of the subscriberin the contextual database 128 with contact information of thesubscriber in the subscriber database 124 of the provider network 120.Callers or users having discrete knowledge of the context listing of theindividual (subscriber) or service can reach the subscriber, but willnot have access to the provider network 120 or any proprietaryinformation about the subscriber, such as identity or telephone numberunless authorized by the network provider 120. Although the contextassociations listed in the contextual database 128 are freely selectableby the subscriber or provider network 120, the secure identity key iscontrolled by the network provider 120.

[0032] Subscriber Statistics

[0033] Revenue and statistic generation is also a feature of theinvention and is accomplished in a number of ways. For example, a chargeto a user or subscriber may be charged or collected when access orinformation is provided or requested or when at least one context islocated. Billing can be acquired from the callers' service provider. Thebilling agent of the callers' service provider would then forward thefee to the directory assistance system of the present invention whichwould provide a suitable percentage to the provider network 120 for theextraction of the subscriber contact information.

[0034] Access to a subscriber may be provided by acquiring a list ofpredetermined subscribers, associating at least one predeterminedcontext for each predetermined subscriber on the list, locating at leastone context, and then providing access to one or more predeterminedsubscribers on the list when at least one context is located.

[0035] In another aspect of the invention, access to a subscriber can beprovided by establishing a list of predetermined contexts, establishinga list having at least one predetermined subscriber, associating atleast one predetermined context for each predetermined subscriber,locating the at least one context, and providing access to one or morepredetermined subscribers when at least one context is located.

[0036] Associating a predetermined subscriber with at least onepredetermined context can be used to provide access to a subscriber.This may be accomplished by locating at least one context, and providingaccess to the predetermined subscriber when at least one context islocated. The context includes network provider and/or subscriberdetermined terms for association with the subscriber. Association withthe subscriber is accomplished when the context is within a domain ofconventions that are associated with individuals or services forlocating subscribers by users with discrete knowledge about theindividual or service desired.

[0037] An enhanced directory allows subscribers, users, communitymanagers and providers the ability to determine their context listingand to selectively manage that listing. For example, a person might beknown as “John Smith at Your Corporation”, “John at Your Soft BallTeam”, or even “Dad at My Family”. The subscriber, network provider orsubscriber group manager can change these context listings as required.Another feature of the system also allows the caller 138 seeking aconnection to contact the directory service and establish the context ofthe required listing.

[0038] Subscriber Groups

[0039] There are a number of benefits to the proposed system.

[0040] 1. People can be found by their “context”. It is easy for people“within the context” to contact their members. For example, a Softballcoach can quickly get a hold of his or her team.

[0041] 2. The system can restrict knowledge of the subscriber's phonenumber. The subscriber can be contacted without revealing thesubscriber's number. The system allows the subscriber to remove himselffrom a community and therefore remove unwanted calls without changingthe subscriber's phone number.

[0042] 3. Implementing these “contexts” makes the directory a suitableplatform to leverage advanced network features like call groups andconferencing, as well as offering new tariff models and creating ‘one tomany’ revenue streams.

[0043] 4. The directory becomes a highly valuable information source ofpeople grouped by their interests.

[0044] 5. Providing applications for communities to manage their memberscreates an opportunity for cellular operators to provide a value-addedservice that will drive new connections or convert competitorconnections to their service, virally, by empowering the communityadministrator.

[0045] Subscriber Managed Context Association

[0046] Management of individual or group contexts or profiles (a personcan belong to multiple contexts) is made available over severalinterfaces such as a wireless phone or the internet. One advantage tosubscriber access is that there is almost no cost associated withsubscriber-based maintenance of listings. In addition, “communityadministrators” can manage their own communities. For example, the coachof a Softball team may be the only person authorized to add members tothe context.

[0047] The population of the directory then becomes viral, which meansthat community administrators enter their own communities. This providesunlimited expansion and additional value and incentive for targetcommunities to increase connections. This viral model also makes iteasier to sign up provider networks.

[0048] The database can provide the platform for a number of relatedapplications. With all this attributed data stored in a single logicalstore, the store becomes very valuable.

[0049] Cellular provider networks send new subscriber information to thedirectory assistance system of the present invention. All interfaces useXML messaging or other computer languages so subscriber transactions canbe automated between the invention and the cellular provider networks.In addition, the system can be used to develop data mapping for eachmajor provider network.

[0050] Community administrators can add members to their community, andupdate member details. An individual subscriber can maintain a subset oftheir information as well. This feature provides the subscriber with theability to remove itself from a community, thereby “de-listing” itselffrom the community.

[0051] This feature enables a value proposition for subscribers toreveal more of their profile, making their directory information morevaluable.

[0052] Callers seeking directory assistance can enter the directoryassistance system of the present invention through a number of channels.The caller can dial a branded provider or an independent directoryinformation number to receive operator assistance. Or the caller candial a number and use tones to navigate to the information they desire.The invention also contemplates user access by use of voice navigation.Callers can also search a web site for contact numbers of subscriberswho have agreed to have their numbers listed by a particular context onthe website. This web directory also includes a small web applicationthat can be “framed” into a related community web site, if a relatedcommunity website exists. Other interfaces like WAP (Wireless AccessProtocol), or a HTML browser (like Web TV, Palm PCs and PlayStation 2),or a Voice Portal can easily be supported by the architecture of thepresent invention.

[0053] The invention opens the directory database to the internet and towireless devices, allowing subscribers to manage the amount of directorycontext data they want exposed to the world.

[0054] Direct Connect

[0055] Another feature of the invention is direct connect cellulardirectory assistance, providing wireline or wireless access to anycellular phone subscriber. An inquiry would originate from eithersource, be received into the present invention's call center, andultimately be connected to the requested party.

[0056] Direct connect cellular directory assistance can be accomplishedby an operator of the present invention obtaining the pertinentinformation to be used for a contextual search for a subscriber.Pertinent information would include such things as name, city and state,and the cellular provider if available.

[0057] In addition, the direct connect directory assistance service iscapable of receiving an automated (no operator) SMS (short messageservice) or WAP (wireless access protocol) based directory assistancequery. The call center of the present invention locates the subscribernumber (perhaps through contextual association) and a call switchcreates the call legs without revealing the subscriber number to theautomated inquirer.

[0058] Further, the direct connect directory assistance service canconnect a voice or other communications transaction to one or manysubscribers by receiving a contact request to a device (which may or maynot be the voice device of the subscriber) and directing a call switchto connect the communication without revealing the subscriber contactnumber. Examples are: 1) sending a call request from SMS; 2) creating acall request through WAP; and 3) creating a call request on a PCinternet browser.

[0059] One advantage of using the call switch to connect thecommunication is that if either the caller (inquiring party) or thecalled (subscriber) party is not available at the time of the callrequest (whether by voice, SMS, SAP or PC internet browser), the callswitch can hold the call request until both parties are available andcomplete the connection by calling both parties at the time of mutualavailability. Another advantage of the above scenario, communicationscan occur without requiring a phone (of either the calling or the calledparty) to have keys or a screen, and provides an internet calling modelwhere calls are requested over the internet but delivered over existingvoice networks.

[0060] Multiple Provider Networks

[0061] When a desired subscriber, service, or listing is found theoperator directly connects the user or inquirer to the listing and thecalling individual is charged for the connection and the call. Thistransaction is carried out without revealing the target subscriber'sphone number or the Internet Protocol (“IP”) address used by thecomputer attached to a TCP/IP network or fax number. This system therebyallows multiple providers to link their respective subscribers withoutrevealing specific information about their respective subscribers. Thismaintains the security of the target subscriber's data so that thecellular provider networks maintain the value of their customerdatabase. As digital platforms become the standard and PersonalCommunications Services evolve, the caller should at least reach asubscriber's voice mail. Prom that point a message could be left or ifconnection is established, the subscriber can give the subscriber'snumber to the caller.

[0062] A system for providing access to a plurality of subscribers isalso provided by means of a directory and director. The directoryincludes addresses that are contextually associated with a predeterminedsubscriber or service. Each address provides access or information toone or more subscribers. The director provides access or information toone or more of the plurality of subscribers by associating one or moreof the plurality of subscribers with at least one predetermined context.

[0063] The director provides statistics regarding the subscriber orservice accessed, and can accept information from the associatedsubscriber that determines whether another can have access to thesubscriber or provide information (contexts) about the subscriber. Thedirector manages the information associated with a subscriber thatdetermines whether another can receive information about the associatedsubscriber. By determining whether another can have access to thesubscriber or receive information about the subscriber, the director canprevent (limit) association with the one or more subscribers.

[0064] A secure identity key that is either provided or created for theassociation controls association with one or more participants. Thedirectory associates a secure identity key to at least one or moresubscribers and can establish or collect a predetermined charge whenaccess is provided or when at least one context is located. In anotheraspect of the invention, a system for providing access to a subscriberincludes an associator, a locator and a provider. The associatorassociates a predetermined subscriber with at least one predeterminedcontext. The locator is used for locating the at least one context, andthe provider provides access to the predetermined subscriber when atleast one context is located.

[0065] Another feature of the invention is single number internetaccess. This feature provides a fee per inquiry or fee per extractioninternet based cellular phone number directory. Data would be providedfrom cellular provider networks through the same contractual arrangementas direct connect. Requested numbers would be transmitted and billedthrough e-mail via the Internet Service Provider (“ISP”) rather thanthrough cellular or wireline billing.

[0066] Internet access would be similar to direct connect in that therewould be a need for a database control facility. The facility would notrequire the amount of space or staff that the direct connect centerwould require due to the state of technology and the definition of realtime.

[0067] Under this scenario, real time could be as long as 5 to 7minutes. This would allow the operator to handle a higher volume ofcalls. Also, the technology is available to “forward an inquiry” ratherthan having to re-type the information. It is envisioned that at somepoint in the future the operator would act only as a gatekeeper with thewhole system being automated.

[0068] The process would be a currently recognized process. Inquirieswould originate from a web page. The web page would explain to thecustomer that there is a fee for this service and that the inquirer willbe billed via their ISP. The inquiry would be obtained through a pointand click information box and transmitted directly to the center of thepresent invention.

[0069] Once the inquiry is received, it is forwarded to the appropriatecellular service provider network and a search made. If a match is foundit is transferred either to the center of the present invention ordirectly to the inquirer via return e-mail. It would be at that pointthat billing takes place. Even if no match is found, a return messageindicates that no listing was found and billing occurs.

[0070] Another feature of the invention is for use with a companymaintained database. This feature provides the creation, maintenance,and cleaning of a corporate database. The present invention wouldcontract with the cellular providers to develop a database consisting ofall current and future subscribers.. This is the database accessed whenan inquiry comes in.

[0071] Changes in the service provider's customer listing aretransmitted to the present invention's facility on a daily (possiblyhourly) basis.

[0072] Under this scenario, an inquiry arrives, operators search thecompany database and a direct connect is provided if a match occurs.Billing is provided through the initiator's (caller's) service provider(wireline or wireless).

[0073] Analysis of requests would provide the information to tune theinvention and provide additional services like ‘last 10 numbers’ or ‘myfavorite numbers’. Cellular provider networks would be compensatedthrough a licensing fee or a fee plus a percentage of direct connectsfor listings of their subscribers.

[0074] Another feature of the invention is a direct connect platform bygeographic region or area code. This feature consists of systemoperation by one entity for specific geographic region or area codegrouping. An active national and international network of the inventionwould be achieved by the cooperation of local franchisees.

[0075] Each subscriber organization would need to contract with local orregional service provider networks for access to their database.Franchisees in other areas could access each other's network using thesame process as any inquiry. Although the directory is currently basedon cellular numbers, it can include any form of communication including,but not limited to, email, facsimile devices, Personal Digital Assistant(“PDA”), pagers and other electronic devices.

[0076] Another feature of the invention uses a Domain Name System(“DNS”) model for cellular directory assistance by creating relationalpathways to identify a person without using or knowing their number.Another feature of the invention provides a person with multipledirectory entries based on their context. Another feature of theinvention is a viral information capability that provides for subscriberselectable and definable information protocols enabling communities todefine themselves and assign members into their directory. Anotherfeature of the invention provides a base platform for other value addeddirectory applications such as email directory, follow me, smartdiverts, and interest matching. Another feature of the invention findsthe digital address of any cellular phone, pager, PDA, or othercommunication device.

[0077] In an alternative embodiment, a user queries a Web site. Byentering the context information, which may be done in a free-form orunstructured database interface, the user is given one or more potentialassociations. For example, a user (inquirer) might enter the string “Bobsailing California”. If the context provides more than one possiblematch, the system can respond with additional context-based informationrelating to each possible match, such as employer, city of residence,other hobbies, etc. In addition, the directory assistance system, theuser or the subscriber can screen or block positive absoluteidentifiers, such as the subscriber's telephone number, email address,physical address or the like.

[0078] Once the user (inquirer) has identified a desired subscriber onthe website directory assistance system, the user then indicates that hewishes to be connected to such subscriber. This may be done by a singleclick on an appropriate icon. If the subscriber has more than one modeof contact (e.g., landline, mobile phone, facsimile, email address,etc.), a menu allows the user to pick the desired mode of contact. Fortelephone-based contacts, including facsimile, the user can be suppliedwith a telephone number and a unique identifier code. The telephonenumber may be a “1-900” number or other similar number by which the user(caller) is charged for the telephone connect time, which isautomatically billed to the caller's provider. The user dials thetelephone number, and upon automated system answering, enters the uniqueidentifier number. The system then translates the unique identifier codeto the appropriate telephone number of the subscriber, and connects theuser to the subscriber.

[0079] The unique identifier code may be set so that it is valid onlyfor a specified period of time, such as twelve hours, twenty-four hours,or so on. After the expiration period of the unique identifier code, theuser must again employ the internet-based directory assistance systemand obtain a new unique identifier code for the subscriber.Alternatively, the unique identifier code may be permanent, but thesubscriber may have the option, at any time, of canceling or deletingthe unique identifier code. If the subscriber deletes the uniqueidentifier code, and also changes or deletes context-based information,the subscriber cannot thereafter be reached by a user employing the samecontext-based information.

[0080] For e-mail connections, there can be a charge to the ISP.Alternatively, a credit-card based account system may be established,whereby a user is charged a fee for each email transmitted. The emailmay be transmitted to a specified address including the uniqueidentifier code and appropriately routed to the intended subscriber.

[0081] E-commerce and Revenue Generating Transactions

[0082] The present invention 10 includes a method of commerce forinternet e-commerce transactions, which is illustrated in FIG. 9 and 10.As shown in FIG. 9, a network provider 120 maintains a billingrelationship with its subscribers 200, which can include standard billedsubscribers or pre-paid card or telephone users. The billingrelationship with the provider is used by the system 10 to facilitatee-commerce expenditure by means of a subscriber email addresses, whichis connected and linked to the subscriber 200 by the context listing128.

[0083] Background

[0084] E-commerce web sites usually require transactions to be paid witha credit card, and the user is typically identified to the web site byan email address and password. The present invention 10 allows networkprovider 120 to use their significant billing competencies,infrastructure investments and customer billing systems to earn revenue.Network provider billing systems are accustomed to handling high volumelower value transactions. At the heart of the network provider-billingsystem is the phone number, which is recorded for each call. By means ofthe subscriber identification key 130, network provider customer datacan also be made available without loss of security, providerproprietary information or subscriber confidentiality.

[0085] Solution

[0086] The present invention provides a method for exploitingtelecommunication network provider billing systems and the contextdirectory assistance system 10 to conduct e-commerce transactions. Thisis accomplished by linking the subscriber email address (or other onlineidentifier) with its telephone number by means of a pre-assigned secureidentity key 130. The key 130 allows the network provider 120 to bille-commerce transactions to a subscribers telephone bill without thesubscriber's (e-commerce purchaser's) phone number being revealed to thee-commerce merchant.

[0087] The flow of the e-commerce transaction is shown in FIG. 10. Atsign-in 410, security for the transaction is provided by a process thatestablishes the relationship between the subscriber 200 with an emailaddress, the network provider 120 with a phone number, and the sign inauthority 450. The sign-in process 410 is executed by means of acentralized authentication server 460. At the web site, the subscriber200 completes the online contract and ensures their details are correct.Following authentication 420, affiliated web sites enable payment attheir sites. When a purchase of this type is made a transaction isrecorded by the sign in authority 450.

[0088] The sign in authority 450 passes these transactions to thenetwork provider 120. The network provider looks up the subscriberaccount based on the key 130 that is passed it by the system 10 forauthorization of the transaction. These transactions are then billed tothe appropriate subscriber and appear on the network provider's monthlystatement. The Provider then reconciles the transactions and pays eachof the affiliate web sites.

[0089] Pre-Pay Subscriber Directory Assistance

[0090] The present invention 10 also provides directory assistance forpre-paid subscribers 500 which is a major breakthrough for existingDirectory Services since pre-paid subscriber data is often not collectedor validated when the customer signs up for service In order to allow apre-paid subscriber to interact with the context directory system 10that maintains directory listings and other contextual listinginformation, it is necessary to verify the identity of the pre-paidsubscriber. This process is normally straightforward for “post pay”subscribers—people who have an established account with a provider. Theprocess is more complex for an initial prepay subscriber. The provideroften has very little information about the prepay subscribers that canbe used to independently verify its identity. A few examples of initialpre-pay subscriber methods are provided.

[0091] Method 1: SIM Card Number

[0092] Many wireless phones, particularly GSM, have a SIM card thatuniquely identifies the phone to the network. This SIM card has aglobally unique number both electronically encoded on the card, andphysically printed on it. Therefore, when accessing any service thatallows creation, modification or deletion of contextual information itmay be possible to verify that the subscriber has control over the phonenumber by requiring them to enter the SIM card number associated withthat number. This method includes the following steps:

[0093] 1. Subscriber purchases a prepay phone (with SIM card),

[0094] 2. Subscriber is notified, or otherwise gains knowledge about thedirectory service,

[0095] 3. Subscriber accesses the directory assistance service (viaphone, internet or any other interface the directory assistance serviceoffers),

[0096] 4. Before allowing maintenance of listing and other contextualinformation, the system requests the subscriber to enter the number fromthe SIM card,

[0097] 5. A password can be sent to the associated mobile phone forverification,

[0098] 6. The system matches the SIM card number with records of validSIM card numbers and their associated phone number, and

[0099] 7. The subscriber may now continue with maintenance of theirdirectory listing profile.

[0100] Method 2: Authorization Code Text Message

[0101] Many wireless networks have the facility to deliver text messagesto and from phones. When accessing a service, the network providing theservice could request from the subscriber the phone number or SIM cardnumber. The system can then deliver a text message to the phone. Thecontent of the message would be a randomly generated unique access code.The system can then verify that the subscriber has control over thepertinent number by requiring entry of the access code. This methodincludes the following steps:

[0102] 1. Subscriber purchases a prepay phone (with SIM card),

[0103] 2. Subscriber is notified, or otherwise gains knowledge about thedirectory service,

[0104] 3. Subscriber accesses service (via Phone, internet or any otherinterface the directory assistance service offers),

[0105] 4. The system sends a text or voice message to the phone number(identified by SIM card number). The content of the message is a uniquerandom access code.

[0106] 5. The subscriber provides the access code to the system viaphone, internet, computer link or SMS message, and

[0107] 6. The subscriber may now continue with maintenance of theirdirectory listing profile.

[0108] Method 3: Account or Other Personal Information

[0109] When a subscriber is post-pay, or the service provider has otherinformation about the prepay subscriber that would only expect to beknown by the person in control of the phone, the system may request thatinformation before allowing the subscriber to proceed with maintainingtheir profile. This method includes the following steps:

[0110] 1. Subscriber purchases a pre-pay phone (with SIM card),

[0111] 2. Subscriber is notified, or otherwise gains knowledge about thedirectory service,

[0112] 3. Subscriber accesses service (via Phone, internet or any otherinterface the directory assistance service offers),

[0113] 4. Before allowing maintenance of listing and other contextualinformation, the system requests the subscriber enters some item ofinformation that the person who purchased the phone/SIM card (or hascontrol of the phone) would only reasonably be expected to know,

[0114] 5. The system matches this information with records of valid SIMcard numbers and their associated personal information, and

[0115] 6. The subscriber may now continue with maintenance of theirdirectory listing profile.

[0116] Community Managed Context Services

[0117] The contextual directory 128 also provides management ofcommunity groups and can exploit advanced call network features likegroup broadcast messaging and conference calling without the need forindividual searches for subscribers.

[0118] As the listings are inherently structured, communities of usersare formed. By means of the web 230 application, community managers canbe assigned to maintain individual or group subscriber context andconnection information relating to their community. Data available tocommunity managers will include all data elements defined for thatcommunity. Community managers will have the ability to add, change ordelete data elements, community attributes or community members.

EXAMPLES

[0119] The following are examples that illustrative variousimplementations of the present invention. These examples are notexhaustive and do not represent any limitation on the scope of theinvention or other possible alternative embodiments.

EXAMPLE 1

[0120] Wireless Directory Assistance

[0121] Background

[0122] A directory is important to any application, on any platform.Directories store information about people and resources. High valueapplications, especially those in a communications network, rely on thedirectory as a foundation for all applications. In thetelecommunications industry, however, directory assistance is based onold models of proprietary control and olds methods limited to name,city, state and country look up. The present invention solves theproblem of subscriber access and provides a variety of contactconnections and source of services. For example, mobile and wirelinecustomers can take advantage of the present invention's features, whichprovide directory, communication and commercial services over thetelephone.

[0123] The Problem

[0124] Existing directory services have not kept pace with the multitudeof new communications devices. This is especially true for mobile phonesand Internet Protocol (IP) devices. These directories have evolved froma system of local monopoly networks that were not focused or attentiveto consumer demands and diversified services. The lack of subscriberdirectory services for mobile devices demonstrates that the olddirectory model lacks the flexibility and features to attract mobilelistings and usage. There are several key reasons for this.

[0125] 1. In traditional wireline systems there is typically a singleprovider with a single directory in one region. In each region, thedirectory belonged to the one provider and concern for competition forsubscribers was not a factor. In wireless systems there may be manyregional providers competing for the same subscriber base, so a singleprovider directory will not work. Mobile directories must bemulti-provider and broadly available.

[0126] 2. As there are several providers servicing the same customerthis raises the concern on the part of providers for customer retentionand security, and the concern of subscribers for multi-providerdirectory service.

[0127] 3. Mobile devices have been considered personal and intrusive. Insome countries the receiving party pays, so subscribers need greatercontrol in their listings to give them privacy and flexibility. Thepresent invention addresses and solves this problem.

[0128] 4. Mobile devices lack a context in which an inquiry can be made.A physical address is not relevant to a mobile device, and people do notoften know the address of the subscriber they are trying to call. Thepresent invention addresses and solves this problem.

[0129] 5. The rise in use of pre-pay subscribers means that networkoperators often know little about their subscriber base and they have nomethod in which a prepaid subscriber can participate in a directoryservice or be located. The present invention addresses and solves thisproblem.

[0130] The Solution: Contextual Directory

[0131] A contextual directory is a new type of mobile directoryassistance service. It provides a natural way for people or resources tobe found based on identifying them in a known community or context withstructured word driven listings. Further, by allowing partial orcomplete self-management of the contextual directory by the subscriberor some other party, the directory listing will be more accurate andavailable for regular subscriber and transient subscriber users alike.

[0132] A contextual-based directory assistance solution allowsindividuals to find and connect to wireless subscribers across multipletelecommunications network providers (AT&T, Verizon, Telstra, etc.) anddevices (mobile phone, WAP, PDA, PC, standard telephones, etc.) Asubscriber can have multiple listings, which would allow the subscriberto be found by multiple contexts and ways. A listing can be the person'sidentifier—name, alias or position, within a context. A subscriber willhave at least one contextual listing selected by the subscriber. Someexamples of contextual listings include: VERBAL LISTING FORMAL LISTINGNOTATION WildMan in Wildman@Wellington.Region. Wellington NewZealandGolfer at Golfer@Pebblebeach.Monterey. Pebble BeachNorthernCalifornia.Region.USA Joe Smith inJoe.Smith@NorthRyde.Sydney.NSW. North Ryde, Region.Australia AustraliaRod at Context Rod.Drury@ContextConnect. Connect Corporate.USA

[0133] Unlike telephone numbers or an address, a contextual listing iseasy to verbalize and remember. The advantage of a contextual listing isthat it provides inherent security, they are stored in a formalstructure, enabling directory automation. The contextual directory,comprised of contextual listings, is much easier and more simple to use,is very flexible, easily updateable, and provides privacy and thereforewill dramatically increase connectivity over all network providers.

[0134] The advantage of contextual listings, including its ease of useand the implementation of secure connectivity according to the presentinvention, will greatly drive up connectivity demand acrossmulti-provider networks as it securely maintains and protectsproprietary subscriber information. The features of the presentinvention are further enhanced by the power of the subscriber's providernetwork or the internet, allowing subscribers to maintain their ownlistings and add other features to their service such as billing paying,shopping, parcel delivery, banking and other applications that add valueto and increase use of their network provider service.

[0135] System Overview

[0136] A functional diagram of the directory assistance system 100 isillustrated in FIG. 5. The system 100 has main functional elements foroperation of the system. These main elements include Provisioning 110,allowing a user to create and manage its own listings, Find & Connect112 for providing directory assistance service so that users can connectto a device, service or subscriber, and Operations 114 for providingmanagement and administration of the service. These main functionalelements are implemented by several systems components, which areillustrated in FIG. 6.

[0137] The system components include at least one telecommunicationprovider network 120 where subscriber billing information is collected,pre-paid services are managed, and calls are switched to a call center122. At the call center 122, calls are accepted and an operator functionis available to assist the caller with database searches. When thesubscriber is located, the call is routed back to the caller's networkfor connection to the required party. In the subscriber number database124, a network operator function provides a regular extract ofsubscriber information required to operate the system. At all timesproprietary subscriber data remains secure within the telecommunicationnetwork 120. The data center 126 contains the contextual directorydatabase 128 and performs the associated provisioning 110 and operations114.

[0138] Secure Identity key

[0139] Within each provider network 120, a subscriber database 124 ismaintained containing all of that network operator's subscriber numbersand associated keys 130. The key 130 is the unique alphanumericidentifier, generated by the subscriber database 124 which can only beused by the network provider 120 to associate either the subscriber orthe subscriber's wireless number. Whenever the subscriber or the networkprovider creates a contextual listing, it is associated with thatsubscriber's (or number's) key 130 are also created and provided to thedata center 126 for associating the listing. Only the key 130 and thelisting are stored in the contextual directory database 128 in the datacenter 126. The proprietary subscriber wireless number associated withthe listing, however, remains securely in the network provider'ssubscriber database 124. Accordingly, the key 130 is a secure linkbetween the provider network 120 and the contextual database 128,providing complete security for the proprietary subscriber datamaintained in the subscriber database 124.

[0140] This architectural approach is designed to allow a directoryassistance call center 122 to operate without requiring the providernetwork 120 to provide the subscriber's contact number to either thecaller 140 or the call center 122. This approach eliminates the need topublish subscriber numbers or to provide them to other networkproviders. This is an important competitive consideration for networkproviders that view their subscriber database 124 as their most valuablenetwork asset.

[0141] By maintaining subscriber number security, network providerswould be encouraged to utilize call centers 122 to consolidatesubscriber access across competitive subscriber networks over oneconsolidated service without the loss of control or revenue.

EXAMPLE 2

[0142] Context Connection and Secure Identity key

[0143] Referring to FIG. 6, a caller uses the directory assistancesystem to connect to a wireless subscriber by dialing a call center 122.The call proceeds as a normal operator assisted directory assistancecall. The caller would dial a short number to reach the directoryassistance operator and request a connection to a called party. Thesubscriber can be an inter- or intra-network subscriber 200 having acontext that is known to the caller and belongs to the person or entitythe caller 140 wishes to reach. In this example, the context is “Marliesat Context Connect”. The operator would then search the contextualdirectory 128 for the requested listing. If a match is found, the key130 stored with the contextual listing will be used to determine withwhich network provider the contextual listing is associated. The key 130is then provided to the network provider to search in the subscriberdatabase 124 for the corresponding subscriber's number. Having retrievedthe number, the call is forwarded to the subscriber through the networkprovider 120. Alternatively, after retrieving the number, the callingparty's call is dropped back to the caller's network for connectionthrough the PSTN to the subscriber without connection through directoryassistance network. The retrieved subscriber number is never madeavailable to the calling party. The call center operator does not haveaccess to the subscriber's number either. Only the context in which thelisting party has established themselves is available at the call center122.

EXAMPLE 3

[0144] Provisioning Services

[0145] Referring to FIG. 5, the system 100 supports a range ofprovisioning 110 that allow subscribers to create and maintain theirlistings. The provisioning feature 110 includes:

[0146] 1. Bulk provisioning from subscriber data held by operators 132,

[0147] 2. Web portal subscriber self-provisioning 134,

[0148] 3. SMS/WAP based subscriber self-provisioning 136, and

[0149] 4. Operator assisted provisioning through the call center 138.

[0150] In general, each provisioning feature relies on subscriber dataextraction 1321 from a network provider's customer care system, wherethe subscriber data is loaded into the subscriber database resident on asubscriber database server.

[0151] Generic Provisioning Process

[0152] An example of the elements of a generic provisioning feature 110is illustrated in FIG. 7. The subscriber data extract process populatesthe subscriber database 124 with at least the subscriber number and aunique key 130. Each provisioning process will be required toauthenticate the subscriber and access the subscriber database 124 withthe subscriber number to obtain the unique key 130 associated with thatnumber. Each provisioning process will execute the following steps:

[0153] 1. Authenticate the source of the provisioning request,

[0154] 2. Identify the operation associated with this provisioningrequest as Add, Change or Delete,

[0155] 3. Acquire the subscriber's required listing text,

[0156] 4. Parse the listing text for compliance to listing rulesassociated with the provisioning operation,

[0157] 5. Acquire the number for the subscriber's listing,

[0158] 6. Use the number to search the Subscriber Database for theassociated key,

[0159] 7. Submit the listing text, key and operator identifier to theData Center for appropriate action, and

[0160] 8. Report back to the originator, the result of the provisioningaction.

[0161] Subscriber Data Upload Provisioning

[0162] Periodically the data center 126 will request an upload of new,modified or deleted subscriber information from the subscriber dataservices module 121 on the subscriber data server 123. Specifictreatment of the subscriber data upload 132 is necessary to ensure aclear and smooth process for moving data from the provider network 120into the data center 126. There are two situations where full uploadswill be required at the initial extract from a new provider, and whennetwork providers do not support more targeted updates. To handle thisform of update, the first step is to establish whether the extractaffects all records, or a subset of the provider database. To supportthis the extractor will need a “data source” field in the interface.Subscriber data upload 132 should check whether the subscriber dataserver 123 is available to perform a required transaction and report anerror when the service does not respond.

[0163] Subscriber Self Provisioning and Profile Management

[0164] Through a Web 230, WAP/SMS 232, or call center 234 interface,subscribers 200 can manage their own details on the service. Datachanged by subscribers 200 will cause an update of the information thatthe call center 122 accesses for searching. Different caller interfaces,display of button features, logos, provider information andidentification can be made available for each network provider 120 sothat the subscriber 200 perceives they are dealing directly with theirown provider network to preserve the valuable commercial relationship.

[0165] Community Managed Context Services

[0166] As the listings are inherently structured, communities of usersare formed. By means of the web 230 application, community managers canbe assigned to maintain individual or group subscriber context andconnection information relating to their community. Data available tocommunity managers will include all data elements defined for thatcommunity. Community managers will have the ability to add, change ordelete data elements, community attributes or community members.

EXAMPLE 4

[0167] Find and Connect Services

[0168] The find and connect service 112 provides directory assistanceservices and connects the customers to a device, service or subscriber.An example of the find and connect service 112 is illustrated in FIG. 8.The steps for an implementation of connecting callers to providers usinga contextual directory service are also shown in FIG. 8. It is to beunderstood that other implementations of the system are possible and maydiffer depending upon the technical requirements of the provider network120.

[0169] In general, call routing involves at least one provider network120 participating in the service, at least one call center 122 thatanswers the directory assistance call, a directory assistance caller140, the caller 140 (whether person or entity) requesting contact with asubscriber 200. The targeted subscriber 200 is a person, group, ordevice that is listed in the contextual directory 128 and available toreceive calls.

[0170] The call and information flow is as follows:

[0171] 1. The directory assistance caller 140 makes a call to theservice through the PSTN 310,

[0172] 2. The call is routed through the PSTN to the call center 122arriving at the call center switch 312,

[0173] 3. The call center switch 312 receives the call and routes it tothe appropriate agent 314 (at this stage IVR technologies can be used tobegin the searching process by doing an initial filtering process),

[0174] 4. The agent 314 takes the name and context for the search 316(the search application on the agent desktop provides the searchinterface; the application does a number of background steps; the firststep is to find the key value that matches the listing the agent haslocated),

[0175] 5. The second step the search application performs is a query tothe Subscriber Data Number Database 124 (of the provider that the keyvalue belongs to) that matches the key value to a single phone number318,

[0176] 6. The third step is the receipt of the single phone number tothe application 320,

[0177] 7. That phone number is then used to connect the call 322 to thetarget subscriber 200 (at this point the switch may need to generate theappropriate billing records depending on the physical implementation),and

[0178] 8. Where possible the call should be handled in such a way thatthe use of trunks and other network resources is minimized 324.

[0179] Extended Directory Services

[0180] The connectivity data provided by the subscribers 200 allows forextended directory services that can be charged to the network operator.These include:

[0181] 1. The ability to charge for an operator sent email, optionally,without the target email address being known,

[0182] 2. Operator initiated SMS, optionally, without revealing thetarget subscriber phone number,

[0183] 3. Direct to Voice Message services, optionally, without thenumber being known,

[0184] 4. Group messaging and conference call set up, based on thecommunity connectivity information, and

[0185] 5. Subscriber managed connectivity rules, based on calling partyand time of day.

[0186] Community Managed Context Services

[0187] The contextual directory 128 also provides management ofcommunity groups and can exploit advanced call network features likegroup broadcast messaging and conference calling without the need forindividual searches for subscriber.

EXAMPLE 5

[0188] Subscriber Device Connectivity

[0189] Background

[0190] The contextual database also supports directory assistance andconnectivity to an interface device 350 using Short Message Service(SMS) or Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) and voice recognitionprotocols. The system 10, through the structures that search for thetarget subscriber, provide the appropriate device protocol and dataformat as required by the interface device 350 for effectivecommunication.

[0191] The Problem

[0192] The problem with these devices is that they provide calleridentification, which may not be desirable for a multi-provider network.SMS and WAP protocols are designed to retrieve a phone number. In thepresent invention, however, the proprietary subscriber number is notstored in the contextual directory 128. Compounding this problem, arethose instances when the target subscriber wishes to provide its phonenumber, which is not available from a call placed through a call center122.

[0193] The Solution

[0194] This present invention, by means of its contextual listings 128,provides enhanced functionality to find and reference a subscriberwithout compromising the security of the proprietary phone number oridentity of the subscriber. An illustration of a directory assistancesystem 10 for use with an interface device 350 is shown in FIG. 7. Anyinterface device 350 that is capable of constructing a message andconnecting to a central telecommunication server can be used to initiatea call. For example, using a mobile phone and SMS or WAP, a request toconnect to a person is constructed and sent to a centraltelecommunication server.

[0195] That message might contain the instruction to ‘callJohn.Doe@hotmail.com’. The central telecommunication server caninterpret the message and resolve the actual target number (B number) bylooking up ‘John.Doe@hotmail.com’ and finding the matching phone numberor pointer to a telecommunications service that can complete the callwith this information. The central telecommunications server will knowthe identity (A number) of the calling party and can then place a callbetween the parties. The target phone number (B number) never needs tobe revealed to the calling party (A number).

[0196] Using similar technology an internet user can construct a requestto place a call on their browser. If the calling party is authenticatedby the service, the telecommunication server receives the request andthe calling party identity (A number). The telecommunications server 123then looks up the target phone number (B number) using the informationavailable from the call center 122 and completes the call to bothparties.

[0197] Other Benefits

[0198] Telecommunication and internet services are converging throughnew mobile packet technologies such as General Packet Radio Service(GPRS) and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), which allow permanentIP connection between the phone and network. Taking advantage of thistechnology, the invention also provides the mobile interface device 350with enhanced telephony interface through an HTML or WAP interface. Bythis feature, the invention can configure and provide a telephone orinterface device 350 with additional functionality, directly upgradingsuch remote devices through the network provider server 123. Instead ofreplacing the interface device 350 with changing technology, the samedevice is merely reconfigured by the system remotely. Accordingly, newservices and features can be rapidly deployed without the need to obtainadditional equipment or cost.

[0199] This feature also provides a secure interface between the phoneand telecommunications device so that more powerful devices such ascomputers and PDA's can easily construct calls (and othertelecommunications transactions) with simpler devices such as atelephone or facsimile machine. As an example, existing analogue devicescan be used to receive calls initiated from other more sophisticateddevices, such as a small bandwidth wireless PDA.

[0200] Implementation

[0201] As an example, instead of a handset dialing a number directly,the device sends a context message to the server. These messages mightbe encoded but might be simple messages like ‘call 617 1234 4567’whichis sent to a smart switch. The switch knows who sent the message,understands the method ‘CALL’ and understands the parameter ‘617 12344567’. Using this information the switch completes the circuit byseeking a connection to a subscriber 200 as described in the call methoddescribed here.

[0202] Examples of a context message are:

[0203] 1. Call Sunny at Context Connect,

[0204] 2. Conference Call, Rod, Sunny and Bob

[0205] 3. Divert to Office until 9:00 PST

[0206] 4. Send an email to Rod, “Lets make lunch 12:30 Tuesday”

[0207] An example of an XML message is:

[0208] <message >

[0209] <method >Ringback </method >

[0210] <target match =“Phonebook|Number|Directory”>Bob</target>

[0211] <expiry uom=“minutes”>60</expiry >

[0212] </message>

[0213] This message corresponds to “Have Bob call me back as soon as hisphone is free, but only in the next hour”. This feature supports themove to remote server based storage of individual subscriber informationallowing it to be made available to and from multiple devices asdetermined by the network provider, the subscriber, or both. Forexample, by means of the call method described here, the personrequested, Bob, can be searched from data at the call center 122, orfrom an interface device 350.

[0214] Another feature of the invention is that the interface device 350need not to be attached to the calling device. For example, a disposabledevice having the ability to receive calls, can obtain messages from anyuser interface device 350 such as a computer or PDA having an IPconnection. Existing low functionality devices (like older mobilephones) can be augmented with new interfaces delivered by computer orPDA. In addition, many new services can be added requiring only changesto be made in the web server application or WAP interface withoutdeploying new handsets.

EXAMPLE 6

[0215] E-commerce, Revenue Generation, and Billing Services

[0216] The present invention 10 also provides a method for e-commerce,revenue generation, and billing services using existing network providedbilling systems and infrastructure and still protecting the subscribersinformation. These features are made available to standard subscribersand pre-paid phone and card users. Through the context listing directory128, all subscribers and users have access to their individual networkprovider 120. And the providers have access to the subscribers and usersdirectly and through the system 10.

[0217] The present invention expands the transactional capability of anetwork provider system as follows:.

[0218] 1. It allows the network provider and other utility providers torealize new revenue opportunities leveraging their billing systemassets.

[0219] 2. It allows the network providers to earn money on the float ofmoney held until remitted to the e-commerce sites.

[0220] 3. It allows consumers without credit cards to participate inonline purchasing.

[0221] 4. It enables new micro payment transaction channels because thenetwork provider billing systems have a core competency of being able toaggregate a large number of small transactions. Consequently it becomeseconomically feasible to bill customers for internet and e-commercepurchases.

[0222] 5. It allows Subscribers and Providers to participate in thesetransactions without putting customer information at risk.

[0223] The present invention 10 utilizes ‘Single Sign In’ and ‘Wallet’technologies where a centralized server handles the sign in requests formultiple sites, or provides centralized Wallets such as MicrosoftPassport and Wallet. At sign up or account modification the subscribercompletes the online contract and ensures their details are correct. Thesign in method for establishing a Contextual Listing and/or this onlinecontract has a Trust relationship with the sign in method's above.Affiliate retail web sites will enable this payment type on their sitesto increase their volumes. When a purchase of this type is made thetransaction is recorded by the Sign In Authority or Wallet Provider.

[0224] In order to fall understand the steps, a sample transaction isprovided.

[0225] Set up

[0226] The setup process as shown in FIG. 11 establishes therelationship between the subscriber 200, the network provider or networkprovider 120 (the billing channel) and the sign in or wallet authority450. Each network provider 120 provides a subscriber security or accountkey 130 as well as an authorization code 131. The subscriber 200 isprovided with the authorization code 131, which ensures that only thesubscriber can activate its account. The subscriber 200 can redeem theactivation code 131 with the sign-in authority or wallet provider 450.

[0227] Authentication

[0228] During the e-commerce session the subscriber 200 mustauthenticate 420 itself to either the sign-in authority or wallet 450.This might be done at the beginning of the e-commerce session or duringthe payment process 440. To the subscriber 200 it may appear that it issigning into the e-commerce site but it is actually being authenticatedon either the sign-in authority or the wallet provider 450. The sign-inauthority 450 would return back a user ID 133 to track the subscriber200.

[0229] Transaction

[0230] When a transaction 430 is made, the transaction details arerecorded by the web site and passed back to the wallet or sign-inauthority 450, where the details are routed to the appropriate networkprovider 120 .

[0231] Bill Presentation and Payment

[0232] The network provider 120 aggregates the transactions and presentsthem to the subscriber 200 in a monthly bill.

[0233] Settlement

[0234] In the final step of the transaction, the network providerextracts a fee 444 for executing the transaction.

[0235] These and other advantages of the present invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification.Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art thatchanges or modifications may be made to the above-described embodimentswithout departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. Itshould therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to theparticular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include allchanges and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of theinvention as set forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for wireless directory service ande-commerce across multi-provider networks, the method having the steps:establishing a contextual listing where a subscriber or a providernetwork select contexts that are used to identify the subscriber in thelisting; associating the contexts in the contextual listing with asecure identity key; searching the contextual listing when a context isgiven and determining the secure identity key associated thereto;identifying at least one subscriber with the determined secure identitykey; and providing information or access to the identified subscriber.2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the establishing stepincludes managing the contextual listing by one selected from the groupconsisting of a subscriber, network provider, and third-partyadministrator.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the contextincludes at least on subscriber fact.
 4. The method according to claim3, wherein the context is selected from a domain of predeterminedconventions that is used to connect the subscriber to at least oneentity, service or other individual, or a combination thereof.
 5. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising the step of managing thecontextual listing directly by the subscriber or the provider network orboth.
 6. A method for wireless directory service and e-commerce acrossmulti-provider networks, the method having the steps: establishing acontextual listing where a subscriber or a provider network managesubscriber contexts that are used to identify the subscriber in thelisting; associating the contexts in the contextual listing with asecure identity key; searching the contextual listing when a context isgiven and determining the secure identity key associated thereto;identifying at least one subscriber with the determined secure identitykey; and providing information or access to the identified subscriber.7. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the steps forassociating, searching, identifying, and providing a fee is charged whenone or more of each step is executed.
 8. The method according to claim1, wherein a fee is charged in the steps for associating, searching,identifying, and providing.
 9. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe steps for providing includes a revenue generating step.
 10. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the secure identity key is analgorithm.
 11. A method for wireless directory service and e-commerceacross multi-provider networks, the method having the steps:establishing a contextual listing by pre-paid subscriber selection;associating the contextual listing with a secure identity key using atleast one predetermined context of the contextual listing; identifyingat least one subscriber with the secure identity key; and providinginformation or access to the pre-paid subscriber.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 11, including verifying the identity of the pre-paidtelephone subscriber.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein thepre-paid telephone subscriber is identified by means of a magnetic-stripcard, SIM, password, or pre-determined context.
 14. The method accordingto claim 13, wherein the pre-paid telephone subscriber is verified bymeans of a magnetic-strip card, SIM, password, or pre-determinedcontext.
 15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the directorylisting information is input by telephone key-pad, voice command,operator assistance, or internet connection.
 16. The method according toclaim 12, wherein the directory listing information includespre-determined subscriber data.
 17. The method according to claim 11,wherein the pre-determined subscriber data includes predeterminedcontext, names, street addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers,banking information, personal data, business data, or messaging.
 18. Themethod according to claim 11, wherein the pre-paid telephone subscriberis identified by means of a magnetic-strip card, SIM, password,pre-determined context, telephone key- pad, voice command, operatorassistance, or internet connection.
 19. The method according to claim 1,further comprising the step of incurring a predetermined charge whenaccess is provided.
 20. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising the step of incurring a predetermined charge when at leastone context is located.
 21. A method for wireless directory service ande-commerce across multi-provider networks, the method having the steps:searching a contextual listing where at least one subscriber, or atleast one network provider, or both select the contexts in the listing;associating the contextual listing to one of said network provider witha secure identity key using at least one predetermined context of thecontextual listing; identifying at least one subscriber with the secureidentity key; and providing information or access to the subscriberusing one of said network provider.
 22. A method for wireless directoryservice and e-commerce across multi-provider networks, the method havingthe steps: establishing a call center with access to a plurality ofprovider networks; placing a call by a calling party to a call centerhaving a database of predetermined contextual listings that areassociated with a unique secure identity key, the contextual listingscontaining contextual references that have been created by a subscriberor a provider network in order to uniquely identify at least onesubscriber, and requesting a search by giving at least one contextualreference that is used to match at least one contextual reference withinthe database of contextual listings; matching the contextual referencegiven to the call center with a contextual reference to determine theassociated secure identity key which identifies one provider network;and passing the call placed at the call center to the identifiedprovider network, and the provider network connecting the call to atleast one subscriber.
 23. The method according to claim 8, wherein thepassing step connects the calling party to a bank for payment of atransaction or a parcel delivery service for delivery of a parcel.
 24. Amethod for wireless directory service and e-commerce acrossmulti-provider networks, the method having the steps: establishing acontextual listing by subscriber selection; associating the contextuallisting with a secure identity key using at least one predeterminedcontext of the contextual listing; identifying at least one subscriberwith the secure identity key; and providing information or access to thesubscriber.
 25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the at leastone context includes at least one subscriber fact.
 26. The methodaccording to claim 24, wherein the at least one context includes acontext key that is used to locate the at least one subscriber.
 27. Themethod according to claim 26, wherein the context key includes a domainof predetermined conventions that is used to associate the subscriberwith at least one entity, service or other individual, or a combinationthereof.
 28. The method according to claim 26, wherein the context keyis a private protection key for use by users having discrete knowledgeabout a predetermined individual or predetermined service.
 29. Themethod according to claim 26, wherein the context key is a privateprotection key for use by an organization for providing access tomembers of the organization.
 30. The method according to claim 23,further comprising the step of incurring a predetermined charge whenaccess is provided.
 31. The method according to claim 23, furthercomprising the step of incurring a predetermined charge when at leastone context is located.
 32. A method for wireless directory service ande-commerce across multi-provider networks, the method having the steps:establishing a list of subscribers at a provider network; associating asecure identity key at the provider network for each subscriber;receiving a request for a secure identity key search from at least onecall center having a contextual directory; performing a secure identitykey search and identifying a subscriber; and providing access to theidentified subscriber.
 33. A system for wireless directory service ande-commerce across multi-provider networks, the system comprising:transaction equipment that acquires and captures context informationfrom a telecommunication subscriber or prepaid phone user; a networkconnected to the transaction equipment; a processing system that isconnected or connectable to the network, wherein the processing systemcomprises a computer; a telecommunication subscriber database; and acontext information database.
 34. A system according to claim 33 furthercomprising: a goods or service database, wherein the processing systemprovides goods or service information to the telecommunications userupon demand.
 35. A system according to claim 33 further comprising ademographic database wherein the process system requires demographicinformation for the telecommunications user.
 36. A method for anelectronic directory system having a transaction device, a plurality ofbusiness connection services and a network which connects saidtransaction device in order to perform a commercial transaction, saidmethod comprising the steps of: providing a consumer operabletransaction device; obtaining information concerning a businesstransaction between said transaction device and said plurality ofbusiness connection service through said network; and identifying theuser of the that transaction device by means of a includes predeterminedcontext, names, street addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers,banking information, personal data, business data, or messaging data.37. The method according to claim 1, further including the step ofautomating a directory query using SMS or WAP where the phone number forthe listing found is not transmitted to a caller.
 38. The methodaccording to claim 1, further including the step of creating call legsbetween one or more called parties based on a call request which containcontextual elements using a call switch.
 39. The method according toclaim 38, wherein the step of creating call legs occurs when the all ofthe called parties are available to receive a call.
 40. The methodaccording to claim 1, further including the step of creating acommunication transaction to one or more parties by constructing arequest on a device and sending a request to a switch that places thecall.
 41. The method according to claim 38, wherein the step of creatinga call is accomplished by sending a call request from SMS, or creating acall request through WAP, or creating a call request on a PC internetbrowser.
 42. The method according to claim 22, wherein the step ofplacing a call is requested over the internet and the call is deliveredover an existing voice network.
 43. The method according to claim 42,wherein the step of creating placing a call creates a revenue generatingevent.
 44. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subscriber is ane-commerce merchant.
 44. The method according to claim 1, whereinproviding information or access is an e-commerce purchase by a caller.45. The method according to claim 44, wherein the e-commerce purchase isbilled through a network provider of the caller.
 46. The methodaccording to claim 44, wherein the contact information of a caller iswithheld from the e-commerce merchant.